Promoting Yourself
One can put in the hours of writing a book, but standing in front of people telling them you are a writer or presenting a workshop strikes fear into the heart of any introvert.
On November 3, as part of a KW Writers Alliance initiative, I had opportunity to promote myself on radio. Earlier this year, I accepted the opportunity to be one of the first members on 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo. Each time I read from a different book — Good Grief People in January and Piece by Piece this November.
When I was a new writer for publication, I remember being told to prepare for such experiences. I met a Toastmaster who invited me to come to the club to see what it’s all about. I put it off a few months, but when I received an invitation for an interview with our home town newspaper editor, I knew it was time to get ready. And so I joined a Toastmasters club.
A year later, I became a member of the Baden Storyteller’s Guild. I discovered I am a storyteller by nature. I’ve also taught writing to seniors at a community centre, have given presentations at Toastmasters conferences, and taught a college course on writing and presenting. I was also invited to present to service clubs. As an oral storyteller, I told in public venues in Kitchener, Guelph, and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
Even with nineteen years of Toastmasters experience, I still want to be well prepared. Speaking no longer holds the same fear capacity as it once did. Am I ever nervous presenting? Yes, because I want to give my best, and I’m there for the audience.
In today’s publishing world, publishers expect authors to promote their books. Self publishing or hybrid authors need to do the same.
You don’t need both Toastmasters and storytelling to promote your book; one will surely help you build your confidence. I can attest to that confidence building and knowing how to present because it spread to other areas of my life as well.
Hire a speaking coach, if you need one, but go out there and show your book(s). You can go on social media too, but your audience will appreciate seeing you in public places. Be prepared, and practise reading aloud before you go to speak.
Talk with people at book events, and before your speaking event. Share your enthusiasm for what you’re called to do. Who knows, you might inspire another writer.
Save the dates:
November 23rd I will be joining other authors at a coffee shop in Caledonia, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Four of the authors will launch their new anthology, and I will have my books there too.
My new poetry collection is coming soon. Seasons: Selected Poems is my second poetry collection. Cover coming soon on my website.